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15 November 2015

Diabetes disproportionately affecting senior members of the workforce

Source: IDF.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that around the world over 70% of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented or delayed by adopting healthier lifestyles, equivalent of up to 150 million new diabetes cases by 2035.

“In terms of national growth and development, health means wealth,” said Dr Petra Wilson, CEO, IDF. “It is vital that governments realise that the rising number of diabetes cases negatively impacts on development and has the potential to bankrupt healthcare systems. Making small and effective investments around healthy eating and living makes economic and social sense.”

"Diabetes is a serious epidemic facing not only our nation, but the world," said David Marrero, PhD, President, Health Care and Education, American Diabetes Association in a separate statement commemorating World Diabetes Day, November 14 - the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, the co-discoverer of insulin.

"We can make progress in the fight to Stop Diabetes by helping people with healthy ideas they can put into action, including resources to help people make the right choice when it comes to what they eat."

The Association says that preparing a healthful meal can help fight expanding waistlines, low energy and the rising rates of type 2 diabetes and obesity-related illness. To this end it had teamed up with five chefs and cookbook authors—Ronaldo Linares, Ingrid Hoffman, Aviva Goldfarb, Barbara Seelig-Brown and Jackie Newgent to create healthy recipes people can use whether they are looking to prevent, delay or manage diabetes, or to simply maintain a healthy lifestyle.

IDF’s Diabetes Atlas, released on World Diabetes Day, shows that diabetes now affects 387 million people, results in close to 5 million deaths annually and consumes US$612 billion in health-related expenditures.

The figures also show that diabetes is still disproportionately affecting people between 40 and 59 years old - the experienced, senior members of the workforce - with repercussions for global productivity.